Path Tiles Generator

Movement is like a performance, something momentous becoming invisible and untouchable as soon as it is complete. Only the memories of the experience remain as traces of the movement in our minds. Path Tiles captures these valuable moments of individual experiences and transfers them into the physical world of visible and tactile textiles, creating a deep relationship between person and object.

Each pattern represents a journey, an experience. It doesn't matter whether it's a walk in nature, a trip to a distant country, or a repeating path in everyday life. The resulting patterns tell of the emotions evoked by landscapes, the lessons learned along the way and the power of the journey to shape our lives.

With the Path Tiles Pattern Generator, I have developed a tool to transform these journeys into knitable patterns using GPS data. I designed the website so that the aesthetics of the pattern can be individualized through shifting, distorting, and mirroring. This ensures that even people with the same route can create personal patterns. The resulting pattern is then brought to life in the form of a knitted object, becoming a materialized personal experience. By involving the user in the design process, an additional layer of connection between person and object is created.

For my diploma, I have designed five objects that can be personalized with these patterns. The design of these objects focuses on making travelling or being "on the go" more comfortable. This process has resulted in the creation of a scarf with pockets, a cape that can also be used as a blanket, a bag that doubles as a pillow, a balaclava with ear cushions, and a neck pillow with back support and pockets in the extended side parts.

For the final production of the objects, five people used the GPS data of different routes to create their personal patterns on the Path Tiles website. Each of the objects was assigned to a person, a journey, a pattern, and then produced accordingly. The finished objects are the materialized experiences and memories of these people.

Accompanying this work, I have started collecting journeys in the form of stories and patterns. This resulted in a small booklet that includes contributions from 19 people. They all shared a memory of a journey in the form of text and pattern with me. The Collection is now also displayed on the Path Tiles website.